A senior Supreme Court lawyer has described the unusually fast pace of the trial in the Mirpur Pallabi child rape and murder case as “abnormal,” although the state prosecutor has rejected the claim.
After recording the testimony of 16 witnesses on the first day of hearings, the defence hearing was completed the following day on Wednesday. Arguments have now been scheduled for Thursday.
Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid told TIMES of Bangladesh that trials should be conducted in a manner that ensures no procedural flaws.
“In my view, this is an abnormal process,” he said, adding that although cases of violence against women and children should be concluded quickly, it appears the government is pushing for an unusually expedited trial.
“This raises questions about whether justice is being properly ensured,” he added.
In response, state prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu said the case is proceeding according to legal procedure.
“The process is being conducted properly under the law. There is no flaw,” he said.
‘Dollar’ claim ignored in court
During the charge framing and defence hearing, the main accused, Sohel Rana, repeatedly mentioned a name “Dollar”, claiming that another person was involved. However, the claim has not been given weight in court, and police have dismissed it.
On Wednesday at the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal, accused Sohel Rana again pleaded innocence but demanded that “Dollar” be brought to justice.
When the judge told him that 16 witnesses had testified against him, he said from the dock:
“I am innocent, sir. Arrest Dollar who was with me. I did not do it alone. I also did wrong, but so did Dollar.”
He also sought mercy, saying he has a young child. He further claimed that his wife, also an accused in the case, was completely innocent.
Afterwards, the judge asked co-accused Swapna Akter to speak. She said, “I did nothing. I am innocent.”
Following the hearing, the state prosecutor sought arguments to be held on Thursday, which the court accepted.
Court-appointed defence lawyer Musa Kalimullah said he also spoke with Sohel Rana regarding the “Dollar” claim. He said the accused did not mention the name in detail and it was also absent from his Section 164 confession statement.
The prosecution, however, said that although the accused initially pleaded not guilty in open court, he later sought forgiveness, effectively admitting guilt.
Responding to questions on why the “Dollar” claim is not being considered, the prosecutor said it is up to the court to evaluate such statements. If the name had been mentioned during the magistrate’s confession under Section 164, the investigating officer could have taken action.
He also alleged that the accused is attempting to delay proceedings.
Earlier on Monday, during the charge framing hearing, Sohel Rana first raised the name “Dollar,” claiming:
“I am not the only one guilty. Dollar is responsible for everything. I did not kill. Dollar committed rape and murder.”
However, investigation officer Awhiduzzaman said no link of any person named Dollar has been found with the incident.
He said there is no third-party involvement in the case and claimed that Sohel Rana is attempting to delay the trial.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid said there is no detailed examination of the person named by the accused.
“In-depth investigation and a more careful judicial process would have been better. In my view, the case should have been handled with greater scrutiny,” he said.
On 19 May around 11:30am, the dismembered body of the child was recovered from a third-floor flat in Pallabi, Mirpur.
The accused, Sohel Rana, a resident of the flat, escaped after breaking the bathroom grill following the incident.
Later, co-accused Swapna was arrested from the flat, and Sohel Rana was arrested the same evening from Fatullah in Narayanganj.
The victim’s father filed a case with Pallabi Police Station the following day. The accused gave a confessional statement before a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court later that afternoon.
The brutal killing sparked widespread outrage from people across different professions as well as political and social organisations.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed visited the victim’s residence. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman had earlier said the trial would begin before Eid.
